Service with Humility

It was a ruse with noble intentions.
 
Get Beth Hutchins to Collegiate’s graduation. Tell her she really wanted to hear her son Thomas play bass in the strings ensemble and see her other son Will serve as an usher. Then, before a very large audience, present her with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

So what if she might have a “who me?” look on her face? So what if she’d feel a bit embarrassed? So what if she’d smile sheepishly and maybe start to turn red? That would be OK, for this tireless, beneath-the-radar volunteer who doesn’t count hours and pitches in simply because it’s fun, fulfilling, and the right thing to do well deserved her moment in the sun, even if it did catch her completely by surprise.
 
“Disbelief,” said Beth, a 1988 graduate, as she reflected on the honor bestowed upon her that beautiful Friday morning this past June.
 
“I really don’t like the spotlight. There’re so many people at Collegiate who do so many things. To be recognized is humbling. It was a little scary looking out and seeing all those people clapping. It was definitely outside my comfort zone.”
 
Even a partial list of Beth’s contributions to both the Alumni and Parents' Associations is long and exemplary. She serves as vice-president of the Alumni Board. She’s assisted with the Oyster Roast, Winter Party, Centennial events, class reunions, Annual Fund events, and Middle School Time-Outs. She’s been a room parent. For six years, she was the Parents Association publicity chair. As a former IT consultant with an MS in management of information systems from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, she used her technology expertise to (among numerous endeavors) create web-based resources for each Lower School classroom as well as an internal, user-friendly website to support the work of the Parents' Association.
 
“Beth views her Collegiate roles as opportunities to strengthen systems, raise more resources, communicate better, and share more school experiences,” Alumni Association president Marshall Schutt said from the podium as Beth began to realize that he was talking about her. “She’s a terrific ambassador for the school. Her love for Collegiate is evident in everything she does.”
 
Beth, who earned a BA in history from UVA, is vice-president of administration for Flippo Lumber Corp., her family’s business located in Doswell. She serves on Virginia State Board of Forestry and on the board of the Virginia Forest Products Association. She and Bill Hutchins have been married 23 years. They are staunch supporters of their sons’ many activities.
 
So where does she find the time to volunteer, especially considering that her workplace is 32 miles from home?
 
“The jobs I did were ones I could do when I had time: nights and weekends,” she said. “I get the technology part. I’m not scared of technology. If you’re brave enough to try it, you can figure it out. Most of the work I did was after 10 o’clock at night, except for my favorite volunteer job.”
 
And what was that?
 
“Pocket Lady at the Village Green Fair,” she said. “You put on the Pocket Lady dress with candy in the pockets, and kids are so excited to see you. You walk around the Village Green Fair, which is such an amazing tradition, and get to enjoy it. There’s no stress. It’s a joy-filled volunteer experience.”
 
This year, Beth is focusing on her duties with the Alumni Board. Next year she begins her term as president.
 
“I love Collegiate,” she said. “Collegiate gave me a great start. It does wonderful things for my kids and the other kids here. Everybody has the power to give of their time, their talent, or their treasure. To me, that’s such an important part of being a good citizen.”
         -- Weldon Bradshaw
 
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